Sony Sues University of Southern California Over Unauthorized Use of MJ’s Music

[Hot_Street]

Sony Music Entertainment has filed a lawsuit against the University of Southern California (USC), alleging unauthorized use of over 170 songs, including Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” and other artists from the record company. The lawsuit, filed on March 11, 2025, in New York federal court, claims that USC’s athletics program used these songs in 283 promotional videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram without obtaining proper licenses.

Sony Music is seeking statutory copyright damages of $150,000 per song, potentially totaling tens of millions of dollars. The label asserts that it has been warning USC about the infringement since 2021, but the university continued using the music to boost social media engagement and promote ticket and merchandise sales.

Sony Music Sues University of Southern California Over Unauthorized Use of Michael Jackson's Music - MJVibe

Sony Music Sues University of Southern California Over Unauthorized Use of Michael Jackson's Music.

www.mjvibe.com

 

[R1chard]

It's pathetic. The USA really needs to do something about "copyright".

 

[8701girl]

Sony are assholes

 

[jasmine.uddin]

Sounds like the university was in the wrong, but it just doesn't look good that Sony is targeting an educational institution.

 

[zinniabooklover]

Sony are assholes

How so?

USC charges more than $70,000 in fees per year. They can and should pay for a music licence just like everyone else. A person teaching aerobics has to get a music licence. USC can certainly afford it. Musicians shouldn't have to give away their work. It's pretty simple, imo.

 

[kai]

How so?

USC charges more than $70,000 in fees per year. They can and should pay for a music licence just like everyone else. A person teaching aerobics has to get a music licence. USC can certainly afford it. Musicians shouldn't have to give away their work. It's pretty simple, imo.

I agree but still it's funny that the biggest and richest music label in the world feels they lost too much money over that.

 

[AlwaysThere]

I agree but still it's funny that the biggest and richest music label in the world feels they lost too much money over that.

This isn’t a fair framing of this situation whatsoever.

 

[apple🍎]

Oh that's the reason why the estate sold the catalogue

 

[MJ TinkerBell]

AWEEEE To bad SONY I can honestly say I FEEL NOTHING FOR YOU!!
You only care about MONEY they will always protect their MONEY but never the ARTISTS that created it for them tho right!!
We saw what they did to Michael's Albums and music they made 1000% sure that Michael would never have the power to make another "THRILLER" they had to stop him by any means necessary!
I hope THEY ALL rot in a special place in hell for taking advantage of any artist they say they respect when MICHAEL MADE THEM BIGILLIONS!

LET THEM PAY OUT THE NOSE IN LEGAL FEES TRIPLE FOLD, LET SONY BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF LIKE THEY DID HIM AND ANY OTHER ARTISTS!

KARMA NEVER FORGETS A PAYBACK! I SAY THROW BERRY GORDY ON THAT TRASH HEAP TOO! FRY THEM ALL! NO FORGIVENESS EVER!

I will never ever buy or purchase any SONY PRODUCT after what they did to MY ANGEL!!
HOW DARE THEY TREAT THE GREATEST ENTERTAINER AND TOP EARNER THEY EVER HAD LIKE A JOKE!!

DEAR SONY SINCERELY FROM MY HEART...

Y

 

[Hot_Street]

They're the same company that invested in a fake album in 2010. Sony is setting completely wrong priorities, which will ultimately backfire.